We would do anything to slow down the signs of ageing and achieve ever-younger skin. And every day we try between anti-ageing creams, fillers, treatments, injections or facelifts. The novelty of the moment, as far as rejuvenation is concerned, has a name that has something macabre about it - it is called Vampire Lifting - but it has nothing to do with bites on the neck. It is simply an aesthetic medicine treatment used to stimulate skin regeneration.

Despite the picturesque American definition - which follows the current fashion for vampires and the like - the Vampire Lift is a technique of 'autologous cell regeneration with platelet growth factors' known in aesthetic medicine as Platelets Rich Plasma (PRP).

Starting with a blood sample (hence the vampire), the blood taken is then centrifuged at the time to separate the white and red blood cells and the plasma. The latter is injected for the purpose of bioregeneration and biorevititalisation either superficially into the epidermis, deeply into the dermis, or into the scalp to stimulate hair regrowth.

The PRP technique uses the patient's own plasma enriched with bioactive platelets to regenerate aged and damaged skin and hypodermic tissues. It therefore has nothing to do with surgery and also, compared to traditional techniques, has no risks in terms of allergic reactions as it is totally autologous.

The treatment is very natural, it does not change features, but stimulates fibroblasts and collagen neoproduction, as well as tissue repair and healing. It has a bio-regenerating and stimulating effect. The face appears brighter, the texture firmer, small wrinkles smoothed. Any part of the face, dark circles, neck, décolleté, hands and any time of year can be treated. The effect produced is an immediate but transient filler and a progressive production of collagen. To maintain the results it is then necessary to repeat the session 2 to 4 times a year.

In Italy the method is still not very widespread due to a medical-legal loophole, the law dated 21 October 2005, no. 219 regulating the donation, handling, and storage of blood and its derivatives, made to prevent the marketing of blood bags. Generally, PRP treatment is performed by dermatologists who have special authorisations to use blood derivatives. However, we are certain that the scientific evidence of efficacy and safety will soon lead to a widespread use of the 'vampire lift' in Italy too.